Gilgandra is set for a major wastewater upgrade, with the NSW Government investing $17.8 million towards a new sewage treatment plant that will future-proof essential services for the town.
Gilgandra Shire Council is contributing an additional $2.2 million to the $20 million project, which will replace the existing 60-year-old facility with a state-of-the-art treatment plant designed to meet growing demand and improve effluent quality.
Cleaner treatment through modern technology
The new facility will utilise an Intermittent Decanted Extended Aeration (IDEA) system — a high-tech activated sludge treatment process capable of treating wastewater to a higher standard, resulting in improved community and environmental outcomes.
Upgrades will also include new pump stations and pipelines, improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs while expanding capacity to cater for a larger population.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with completion expected by the end of 2027.
Supporting regional resilience and growth
The $17.8 million in state funding is part of the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program, which supports up to $1 billion in critical water infrastructure projects across the state.
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Director for Grants Programs, Kirsty Fenton, said the project represents a strong commitment to regional water resilience.
“We’re committed to helping regional towns get the infrastructure they need to provide better services and unlock economic growth,” Fenton said. “This investment will allow the council to build a modern plant that keeps up with demand, operates reliably and safeguards the environment.”
A vital upgrade for Gilgandra’s future
Gilgandra Shire Mayor Doug Batten said that the new plant is crucial for supporting future growth.
“Our existing infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life,” Batten said. “As our population grows, supported by projects like the industrial estate, Inland Rail and renewable energy developments, the pressure on our wastewater network will only increase.”
“This new treatment plant ensures we can deliver reliable wastewater services, protect the environment and support economic opportunities for decades to come.”